He will break the chains that bind us

4 For God will break the chains that bind his people and the whip that scourges them, just as he did when he destroyed the vast host of the Midianites by Gideon’s little band. Isaiah 9:4

 Chains or strongholds are negative things in life that we struggle with. You could be chained by fear of the future, chained by anger, envy, addiction, immorality, impatience, self-doubt, self-righteousness, laziness, the inability to listen to others, and many other things.  We might even be chained by shame of past actions that Christ has forgiven.  This is a war and we must arm ourselves with a closeness to God like we have never had before. 

We are struggling with our sinful nature or spirit with which we were born.  Until we become new by accepting Jesus into our hearts, we will continue to fight these battles day in and day out against the powers of darkness in this world. And these powers are going all out to chain you.  We need to fight these negative strongholds and rejoice (have joy) in our chains like Paul and Silas did.  When the devil is fighting us, we can know that we are moving in the right direction.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

Often we don't even know we are chained.  Even today as I drove by a vehicle I really would like to own, it dawned on me that I am chained by wanting what I want immediately and I am not good at waiting.  We must really consider what it is that has a stronghold on us.  



Sometimes just spending too much time thinking about ourselves is the stronghold.  While we are thinking about ourselves, we can't think about others, pray for them, or help them.   The powers of darkness want us to focus on ourselves and our wants.  Even focusing on our needs can bring about a negative attitude which becomes a chain around our necks. 

This world is evil like never before. Non-Christians are blinded by this evil, which masquerades as good, and do not understand the ways of our God.  They want us to join them and will do anything in their power, (TV shows, commercials, news, social media, parties, groups, etc.) to chain us and bind us to the things of the world. Stop!  

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
We have an all powerful God who will break these chains if we ask Him.  This is spiritual warfare and God has given us Christ and the Holy Spirit as our weapons.  God will win this war.  Will you be part of His army or will you allow yourself to be chained up without hope and the ability to escape?  

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We must do our part as we let God free us from these chains.  We must pray and we must exercise self-control, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and is freely given to those who ask God for it.

Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.  Psalm 116:16

Slaves are chained and we do not want to be slaves.  We want to be free from sin and shame.  The only way to be free is to believe that Jesus is the son of God, that He died for our sins, and rose again from the dead to conquer sin and death and to break every chain for those who follow Him.  When we ask Him to forgive us for those sins, He freely forgives and then we must also forgive ourselves and others.

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. .....So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34 and 36

 We can be free of our chains if we trust in God and turn our lives over to Jesus.  We must, however, also take steps to turn away from those strongholds.  You can't expect to be free from an alcohol addiction if you continue to spend your time in bars.  

Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; Loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. Isaiah 52:2

 Let us be free!




 

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